Saugus Police Department Provides Back to School Safety Tips

SAUGUS — With the new academic year set to begin next week, Chief Domenic J. DiMella and the Saugus Police Department urge community members to review important back to school safety tips.

All students in the Saugus Public Schools will return to class on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

“We want to ensure a safe and successful start to the school year,” Chief DiMella said. “As families prepare to send their children back to school, we ask that everyone be aware of their surroundings and to take extra care driving near student pickup and drop-off areas.”

With students often on their phones texting, browsing the internet or playing games, the Saugus Police Department recommends that parents talk to their children about following these safety tips provided by the National Safety Council (NSC) when headed to and from school:

Never walk while texting. If you need to respond to a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.

Never cross the street while using an electronic device.

Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street.

Cross only at crosswalks.

Drivers should be on increased alert when traveling through school zones and should NEVERtext and drive. Additionally, the NSC reminds operators to:

Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.

Always stop for a crossing guard holding up a stop sign and obey school bus signals.

Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas

Do not honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way

Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians

To best ensure that children who travel to school by bus get there safely, Saugus Police advise that students follow these tips from the NSC:

Getting on the bus:

When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness.

Line up away from the street as the bus approaches.

Wait until the bus has stopped and the doors open before approaching.

Behavior on the bus:

If available, always wear your seat belt.

Don’t put your head, arms or hands out the window.

Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat.

Getting off the bus:

If you have to cross in front of the bus, walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the driver. Make sure the driver can see you too.

Wait for a signal from the driver before crossing. When the driver signals, look left, right, then left again. Walk across the road and keep an eye out for sudden traffic changes.

If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see other drivers and they can see you.

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